and similar not-for-profit organizations providing care for domestic animals orphaned or displaced as a result of natural or civil disasters. This fund was created in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks and since its inception has provided relief to dogs as a result of the California wildfires, and last year’s multiple hurricanes in Florida. Because of this fund AKC has been able to respond quickly to the current situation in the Gulf region.

While 100 percent of the proceeds of donations sent to the AKC/CAR Katrina Relief fund are used to provide for the dogs, AKC also recognizes that dog owners also need help and so we have given an additional donation of $25,000 from the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund general fund to the Take the Lead Katrina Disaster Fund to aid those in the fancy affected by the disaster.

Immediately after Katrina struck, the AKC set-up a Katrina Relief Section on our web site including a Donations Exchange Database at www.akc.org and so far there has been more than 500 offers of assistance. People have come forward with offers of equipment, foster homes, and transportation for canine victims and their owners. People may also list their requests for help.

AKC also sent a Disaster Relief Van to the Somerset Hills Kennel Club and Westchester Kennel Club dog shows so fanciers could drop off supplies and equipment or make donations in person.

Additionally, AKC clubs have been very generous with donations to help the dogs. Some are collecting donations at dog shows or AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day events throughout the country or are matching donations from their members.

For frequent updates about our relief efforts or if any club or individual wishes to make a fully tax-deductible donation to theAKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund

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Katrina, or wants to add to the Donation Exchange

Database, please visit our website at www.akc.org.

I want to personally thank everyone, including those club members in the region, for their voluntary donations of time and money who have been instrumental in getting relief to the dogs.

Sincerely, Ron Menaker, Chairman

“TO FIND OUT WHAT’S NEW”

Check out theAWSC, Inc. Website at: www.americanwaterspanielclub.org. If you don’t have a computer, go to your local library or use a friend’s computer.

2005 Brown Bag Raffle and Auction

The Club once again wants to thank it’s members for their generous donations of items for both these events. This year our contribution to paying the expenses of the 2005 National Specialty and Hunt Tests was $2000.00. This money goes a long way toward helping with the expense the club incurs when putting on an event the size of our national.

Because both donations and participation were down this year from last year, we are particularly appreciative of the members who took the time to send items, purchase tickets, and bid on items in the auction.

Thank you to John Liemohn for another year as our auctioneer. The hour was late, but John served with speed and humor.

Thanks to a suggestion from Mark Wilkins after the 2004 national, each donating corporation received a thank you note at the time of their donation. This helps us secure these important contacts for 2006.

Every year someone helps us by receiving and making an inventory of donations. This year Cheri Douglas had that duty and she helped with our set up for the raffle as well. Thank you again, Cheri. And then there are all the people who help us with selling raffle tickets and permitting their arms to be used for measurement. Thank you all. As you can see this is a multiperson effort.

There are always interesting stories about some of the donated items. This year one of the last minute donations came from the owner of a quilt shop near the hunt test site. Teresa and I were shop hopping and visited this little country shop on our way to the hunt test. While shopping and talking, we discovered that the shop owner had previously had and loved two American Water Spaniels. As we were leaving, she donated an Americana print wall hanging for our auction.